Structural framework having solid coupling

ABSTRACT

A structural framework includes two frame members each having one or more channels, and one or more lock devices each having two mating member fitted and engaged into the channel of one of the frame members, and a lock nut engaged into the channel of the other frame member. Each of the mating members includes a semi-cylindrical recess to form into a bore for the lock device. A fastener is engaged in the recesses of the mating members, and threaded with the lock nut, to secure the mating members of the lock device and thus the frame member together. The frame members may each include one or more juts for engaging with teeth extended from the mating members or the lock nut.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a structural framework, and more particularly to a structural framework having a lock device for easily and solidly securing beams or frame members together.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Typical structural frameworks comprise a number of beams, plates, panels, rods, columns, or other frame members that are required to be secured or locked together to form a spatial structural configuration. Normally, bolts or fasteners are directly used to secure and lock the beams, the plates, the panels, the rods, the columns, and the other frame members together.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,800 to Wissler discloses one of the typical structural frameworks also comprising a number of beams that are arranged to be secured or locked together with a number of lock devices. However, the lock devices may be used to anchor the beams together, but may not be used to solidly secure the beams together.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,513,606 to Jones discloses another typical structural framework also comprising a number of beams and panels and posts and brackets and other frame members that may be secured together with a junction box and a number of bolts or fasteners. However, the bolts and fasteners will be engaged within the tiny junction box and may not be easily rotated or driven by the users.

The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages of the conventional structural frameworks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a structural framework including a lock device for easily and solidly securing beams or frame members together.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a structural framework comprising a first frame member and a second frame member each including a channel formed therein, a lock device including a first mating member and a second mating member mated and engaged with each other, and fitted and engaged into the channel of the first frame member, the first and the second mating members each including a semi-cylindrical recess formed therein, and the semi-cylindrical recesses of the first and the second mating members being formed into a bore for the lock device when the first and the second mating members are engaged with each other, a fastener engaged in the semi-cylindrical recesses of the first and the second mating members and the bore of the lock device, and a lock nut engaged into the channel of the second frame member and threaded with the fastener, to secure the first and the second mating members of the lock device and thus the first frame member to the second frame member.

The first mating member includes at least one cavity formed therein, and the second mating member includes at least one pin extended therefrom, for engaging with the cavity of the first mating member, and for allowing the first and the second mating members to be anchored and secured together.

The second mating member includes at least one cavity formed therein, and the first mating member includes at least one pin extended therefrom, for engaging with the cavity of the second mating member, and for allowing the first and the second mating members to be further anchored and secured together.

The first mating member includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon, and the first frame member includes at least one jut extended therefrom, for engaging with the teeth of the first mating member, and for anchoring the first frame member and the first mating member together.

The first frame member includes a slot formed therein and communicating with the channel thereof and defined between two flanges, and the jut of the first frame member is extended from either of the flanges thereof.

The second mating member includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon, and the first frame member includes at least one second jut extended therefrom, for engaging with the teeth of the second mating member, and for anchoring the first frame member and the second mating member together.

The lock nut includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon, and the second frame member includes at least one jut extended therefrom, for engaging with the teeth of the lock nut, and for anchoring the second frame member and the lock nut together. The first and the second mating members each includes an enlarged notch formed therein, and communicating with the recess thereof, and the fastener includes an enlarged head engaged in the enlarged notches of the first and the second mating members.

The first frame member includes a first slot formed therein and communicating with the channel thereof and defined between two flanges, and the first mating member includes a protrusion extended therefrom, and slidably engaged in the first slot of the first frame member, and to stably guide the first mating member to slide relative to the first frame member, and to allow the first mating member to be seen by users.

The first frame member includes a second slot formed therein and communicating with the channel thereof, and the second mating member includes a protrusion extended therefrom and slidably engaged in the second slot of the first frame member.

Further objectives and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided hereinbelow, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a structural framework in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the structural framework, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the structural framework;

FIG. 5 is a partial top plan view of the structural framework; and

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded view showing a lock device of the structural framework.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to the drawings, and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a structural framework 10 in accordance with the present invention comprises two or more frame members 11, 12, such as beams, plates, panels, rods, posts, columns, brackets, or other frame members 11, 12 that are required to be secured or locked together to form a spatial structural configuration. In the present invention, one or more lock devices 20 as shown in FIG. 6 have been provided to secure and lock the frame members 11, 12 together.

Each of the frame members 11, 12 includes one or more channels 13 formed therein, and one or more narrower slots 14 formed therein and communicating with the channels 13 thereof and defined between two flanges 15, and preferably includes one or more projections or juts 16 extended into the channels 13 thereof. For example, some of the projections or juts 16 may be extended into the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12 from the flanges 15, best shown in FIGS. 2-5.

The lock devices 20 each includes two mating members 21, 22 each having one or more cavities 23 formed therein, and/or one or more projections or pin 24 extended therefrom, for engaging with the corresponding cavities 23 of the other mating members 21, 22, and thus for allowing the mating members 21, 22 to be anchored and secured together. The mating members 21, 22 of the lock devices 20 thus anchored or secured together are preferably arranged to be snugly fitted or engaged into either of the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12, with such as force-fitted engagements, best shown in FIGS. 3, 4.

It is preferable that each of the mating members 21, 22 of the lock devices 20 includes a swelling or protrusion 25 extended therefrom, for slidably engaging in the corresponding slots 14 of the frame members 11, 12, and for stably guiding the mating members 21, 22 to slide relative to the frame members 11, 12, and for allowing the users to see the position of the mating members 21, 22 within the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12.

Each of the mating members 21, 22 of the lock devices 20 further includes a serrated surface or a number of teeth 26 extended therefrom, such as extended from the two side portions thereof, for engaging with the corresponding projections or juts 16 of the frame members 11, 12, also best shown in FIGS. 3, 4, to further solidly secure or retain or anchor the mating members 21, 22 in the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12.

Each of the mating members 21, 22 of the lock devices 20 further includes a semi-cylindrical recess 27 formed therein, and the semi-cylindrical recesses 27 of the mating members 21, 22 may be formed into a bore 27 for the lock devices 20, for receiving a bolt or fasteners 30 therein, when the two mating members 21, 22 are engaged with each other or secured together. It is preferable that the mating members 21, 22 of the lock devices 20 each further includes an enlarged notch 28 formed therein, and communicating with the recess 27 thereof, for receiving the enlarged head 31 of the fastener 30.

The lock device 20 further includes a lock nut 32 slidably engaged in either of the channels 13 of the other frame members 12, and threaded with the fastener 30, in order to secure the frame members 11, 12 together with the lock device 20. It is preferable that the lock nut 32 also includes a serrated surface or a number of teeth 33 extended therefrom, for engaging with the corresponding projections or juts 16 of the frame members 11, 12 (FIG. 5), to further solidly secure or retain or anchor the lock nut 32 in the channels 13 of the other frame members 11, 12.

It is preferable that the lock device 20 may include one or more pairs of mating members 21, 22 having different thickness or heights, for allowing the mating members 21, 22 to be snugly fitted or engaged into the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12 of different depths or heights. The fasteners 30 may be easily engaged into the semi-cylindrical recesses 27 of the mating members 21, 22 before or after the mating members 21, 22 have been engaged into the channels 13 of the frame members 11, 12.

Accordingly, the structural framework in accordance with the present invention includes a lock device for easily and solidly securing beams or frame members together.

Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

1. A structural framework comprising: a first frame member and a second frame member each including a channel formed therein, a lock device including a first mating member and a second mating member mated and engaged with each other, and fitted and engaged into said channel of said first frame member, said first and said second mating members each including a semi-cylindrical recess formed therein, and said semi-cylindrical recesses of said first and said second mating members being formed into a bore for said lock device when said first and said second mating members are engaged with each other, a fastener engaged in said semi-cylindrical recesses of said first and said second mating members and said bore of said lock device, and a lock nut engaged into said channel of said second frame member and threaded with said fastener, to secure said first and said second mating members of said lock device and thus said first frame member to said second frame member.
 2. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first mating member includes at least one cavity formed therein, and said second mating member includes at least one pin extended therefrom, for engaging with said at least one cavity of said first mating member, and for allowing said first and said second mating members to be anchored and secured together.
 3. The structural framework as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second mating member includes at least one cavity formed therein, and said first mating member includes at least one pin extended therefrom, for engaging with said at least one cavity of said second mating member, and for allowing said first and said second mating members to be further anchored and secured together.
 4. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first mating member includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon, and said first frame member includes at least one jut extended therefrom, for engaging with said teeth of said first mating member, and for anchoring said first frame member and said first mating member together.
 5. The structural framework as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first frame member includes a slot formed therein and communicating with said channel thereof and defined between two flanges, and said at least one jut of said first frame member is extended from either of said flanges thereof.
 6. The structural framework as claimed in claim 4, wherein said second mating member includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon, and said first frame member includes at least one second jut extended therefrom, for engaging with said teeth of said second mating member, and for anchoring said first frame member and said second mating member together.
 7. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lock nut includes a plurality of teeth formed thereon, and said second frame member includes at least one jut extended therefrom, for engaging with said teeth of said lock nut, and for anchoring said second frame member and said lock nut together.
 8. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and said second mating members each includes an enlarged notch formed therein, and communicating with said recess thereof, and said fastener includes an enlarged head engaged in said enlarged notches of said first and said second mating members.
 9. The structural framework as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first frame member includes a first slot formed therein and communicating with said channel thereof and defined between two flanges, and said first mating member includes a protrusion extended therefrom, and slidably engaged in said first slot of said first frame member, and to stably guide said first mating member to slide relative to said first frame member, and to allow said first mating member to be seen by users.
 10. The structural framework as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first frame member includes a second slot formed therein and communicating with said channel thereof, and said second mating member includes a protrusion extended therefrom and slidably engaged in said second slot of said first frame member. 